An off-duty cop near Cincinnati, Ohio tased an 11-year-old girl for shoplifting.
The unidentified minor was shopping in a Kroger on Monday when she put merchandise in her backpack. An off-duty copy, 55-year-old Kevin Brown approached the girl. When she ignored him and continued to walk away, he shocked the fifth grader with a Taser.
The Cincinnati Police Department released a statement on Tuesday.
@CincyPD press release regarding the tasing of a juvenile suspect. https://t.co/HRfFEiz17C— Cincinnati Police Department (@Cincinnati Police Department) 1533696666.0
In the statement, Police Chief Eliot Isaac says,
"We are extremely concerned when force is used by one of our officers on a child of this age. As a result, we will be taking a very thorough review of our policies as it relates to using force on juveniles as well as the propriety of the officer's actions."
Currently the Police Department policy allows officers to use a Taser on a minor as young as 7 despite the fact that as of a year ago, over 1,000 people have died from Taser shocks, according to Reuters.
The girl's mother, Donna Gowdy, also had something to say.
"If you can't run, then you need to get off the police force. If you can't handle an 11-year-old child, then you really need to get off the police force. You here to protect these kids."
Kevin Brown is currently on restricted duty pending the outcome of an internal investigation.
People can't believe a cop would do such a thing.
@CincyPD An 11 year old???— clownbaby (@clownbaby) 1533722930.0
@CincyPD This one incident can change that child's perspective of police for the rest of her life. And the cycle of… https://t.co/wdzrzJUHjA— Jack's Mom ✍ (@Jack's Mom ✍) 1533749469.0
@CincyPD This is disgusting. DO BETTER!— Becky Sprague (@Becky Sprague) 1533744562.0
@CincyPD What's next? Handcuffing raucous toddlers? Cause we all know they too don't behave, listen to commands and… https://t.co/kkCthQpo9T— Carmen (@Carmen) 1533734036.0
@CincyPD You know, you don’t even have to tell us the color of the girl’s skin. This would never happen to anyone i… https://t.co/SME04KtaYJ— Teresa Dieter (@Teresa Dieter) 1533760934.0
Some think Brown needs to see consequences.
@CincyPD If the Officer wasn’t on duty why was he or she even carrying the taser? The officer should be fired for tasing a child.— 🎃🍁Deb💫 (@🎃🍁Deb💫) 1533740767.0
@CincyPD This is disturbing. The officer had his feelings hurt because she didn't obey his commands. Termination of the officer is needed.— UBC999 (@UBC999) 1533774138.0
Watch the full report here.